“I prefer to stay in bed all day”: Everyday geographies of stroke patients

Stroke patients typically undergo a sudden transition from being able to being disabled. A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), refers to brain damage because of a temporal shortage of oxygen in the brain. This shortage is due to lack of blood flow caused by blockage or a leakage of blood. A stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in Europe. Consequences of a stroke can be both physical and psychological. For instance, patients are not able to use their limbs on one side of the body, find it difficult to speak, find it hard to participate in complex social situations, or experience changes in character.
I will present the preliminary results of a qualitative study on the place-based experiences of stroke patients. Thirty-five in-depth interviews with stroke patients have been held, both in the rehabilitation clinic and at home. I will focus on how stroke patients interact with everyday places, often the home and its immediate environment. Because of physical disabilities, the mobility of stroke patients is often limited. They are not able to venture far away on their own. At the same time, psychological consequences of the stroke, such as feelings of depression, frustration, result in avoidance of busy places, and busy social situations. As a result of these complex experiences of place with their newly disabled bodies, many stroke patients become home-bound, and socially isolated.